CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The Hornets have waived guard Nick Smith Jr. a week before the start of training camp, league sources confirmed with CSL Thursday.
The team has since confirmed the news.
Smith was drafted 27th overall by Charlotte in 2023 out of Arkansas, and the 6-foot-2 combo guard averaged 10 points and 2.4 assists a year ago where he saw 27 starts following injuries to Brandon Miller and Tre Mann.
In the offseason, the Hornets drafted guards Kon Knueppel and Sion James, and added veterans Collin Sexton via trade and Spencer Dinwiddie through free agency.
Along with Smith’s increase in scoring from his rookie season, his 3-point shooting percentage jumped from 35 percent to 45 percent. His overall field-goal percentage was the same both years at 39.1.
The Hornets begins training camp Sept. 30 at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.